Founded in 1998, i.c.stars creates opportunities for underserved communities by bridging the gap between resilient young adults and high-growth tech companies. The rigorous four-month leadership and technology training program gives low-income learners close to 1,000 hours of training in preparation for work at leading technology service providers and then supports them for 20 months afterward as they transition to high-paying, full-time employment. Read Article

The Stand + Together Foundation spent a day with i.c.stars: Recoding The Cycle Of Opportunity Through Tech-Focused Leadership Education

It’s a cold, gusty morning in downtown Chicago, where Rico Bryant shows up for work every day at a non-descript office building. He buzzes himself in under a small black awning, opens the door, and trots up two steps to press the elevator call button. There is nothing fancy about where he is headed—a third floor loft space on Dearborn Street, one block north of the House of Blues. But when he describes this place he lights up and says, “This is where the magic happens.” Read Article

In this episode broadcast live on November 22, 2019, host Melanie Adcock interviews staff members from i.c. Stars, a technology-based workforce development and leadership training program for low-income adults on their 20th anniversary. Featured guests were Paige Brown, Program Manager, Arely Dorsey, Workforce Manager, and Rico Bryant, Recruiter. Listen

How Solve helps bridge the gap between people and the resources they need

Meet Akia: Akia landed her dream job in the technology field and found housing by working with Solve’s partners, i.c.stars and the Chester David Group.

Akia was working as a call center representative when she first heard of i.c.stars. The program, a rigorous technology-based workforce development and leadership training curriculum, seemed like the perfect way for her to transition from a customer service job to a technology-focused career. Read Article

A Chicago-based organization that teaches technology skills to young adults who have overcome adversity says it plans to begin holding programs in Milwaukee.

Inner-City Computer Stars Foundation, or i.c. stars, says it plans to team up with companies in Milwaukee to place hundreds of young adults in jobs that require knowledge of computing concepts and expertise in software development. Read Article